Lara Yazzie got some off season work this year competing at the USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder. Photo by Alan Versaw
Sometimes transfers don't make much of a difference, sometimes they pan out in a big way. For the Sand Devils transfers Shayla and Tripper Tate certainly have helped contribute to Page's athletic success since coming over. Last fall the sisters were instrumental in helping guide Page High School to a Division 3 crown and they look to be a big force in the distance events during track this spring.
The 3200m should be a sister affair. The Tate sisters are not the only set of siblings Coach Mac Lane will be relying on this spring in the distance events. He hopes to get points from the Mariah and Lara Yazzie as well. These four girls form a nucleus as deep as any other team in division 3, as evidenced by their state cross country title last fall. Look for them to put up some points at the state track meet this spring.
The mid distance squad is led by Mia Smith. She returns as a top competitor in the 800m and the 4x800m. While she enters the season on top look for her to be pushed by up and coming freshman Victoria Tenpenny. Coach Lane is optimistic about Victoria ability to contribute in the 800m and even the 1600m this spring. “She is a speedster, she has a lot of natural ability we just need to work on her strength" he said. If they can get lows 2:20's out of Victoria and Mia they should be a major 1-2 punch in the open girls 800m this spring.
Victoria and Mia are not the only strong 800m runners from page. Jordan Roskelly will also figure in the mid distance events. Like the with the distance races they are very deep compared to most division 3 schools. With the Yazzie and Tate sisters in the mix as well, Coach Lane has a lot of options to form a 4x800m with Mia and Victoria. Coach Lane hopes to get the relay team in the 10:00-10:15 range, if he can do that they should finish on the podium at state this spring, a distinction that alluded them in 2014.
Like the boys squad, they are led by their distance squad. Also like the boys squad their points come May will hopefully be more than distance. Despite the loss of Morgan Serventi from last year's state team, Page hopes that Emma Shebesta and Amerbly Seay can contribute in the shorter events this spring. Christ Robinson should help add some depth there. Since she has experience throwing shot she might also help replace graduated Brenda Joslen who led the Sand Devils in throwing last spring.
After scoring just 5 points last spring at state, Page has a couple of events where they could score five points this spring. The Sand Devils appear to be on an upswing, look for them to make a push for top 10 this spring in track.